Friday, December 15, 2017

LYNNWOOD – Adam Fenster has been named head coach of the Edmonds Community College women’s soccer program. Fenster has 12 years of collegiate coaching experience on the men’s and women’s side, both at Bellevue College and The Evergreen State College. He was an assistant with the EdCC women’s soccer program this past fall.

Adam Fenster

In 2006, Fenster’s first year at Bellevue College as men’s assistant coach, the Bulldogs made it to the NWAC title game. Fenster took over head coaching duties the next year, and served in that role from 2007-2010. The Bulldogs qualified for the NWAC playoffs all four years, and made it back to the NWAC title game again in 2008, losing to Walla Walla. In 2009, they got redemption, claiming the NWAC title over Walla Walla 2-1.

Fenster was the Western Region and NWAC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2009. His overall record at Bellevue was 50-17-11. In 2010, Fenster became head women’s soccer coach at his alma mater, The Evergreen State College. He had a seven-year tenure there, stabilizing the program and expanding the team’s roster size while leading the Geoducks.

“Adam is an exciting addition to our coaching staff. He is dynamic and understands the NWAC,” said athletic director Spencer Stark. “I expect our women’s soccer student-athletes to thrive under his leadership because of his passion to develop them as people. He is very motivated to build the women’s soccer team, and has an experienced perspective and defined vision. We are thrilled to hire Adam.”

Fenster is actively involved in youth soccer, coaching for the Greater Seattle Surf Club (formerly Northwest Nationals) since 2012. He currently coaches 01, 02 and 07 girls’ premier programs. His background also includes stops with Highline Premier, Snohomish United, FC Alliance, Meadowdale High School, and the Overlake School (state champions). He has been Director of Coaching for the Puget Sound Slammers, coached for the Seattle Sounders Youth Program, and has worked with the Washington State Olympic Development Program (2008-2010).

“I’m excited about the opportunity. Edmonds is a great school, with a great group of people, and it has a rich tradition of excellence,” said Fenster. “The facilities are top-notch, the support and professionalism of everyone involved couldn’t be better. I am ready to rebuild the program. I have high expectations for Triton soccer.”

Fenster received his Bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College in 1997 after playing there for four years. He was team captain, an all-conference selection, and named Team MVP twice at Evergreen. Fenster grew up in Seattle and graduated from Seattle Prep High School in 1993. He played semi-professional soccer in the Netherlands, and also in Washington D.C. for a few years after graduating from Evergreen State before starting his coaching career.

He holds his USSF “B” License, is certified as an American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Instructor, is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Performance Enhancement Specialist, and is a Muscle Activation Techniques candidate. He has been a strength coach for more than a decade, including with the University of Washington men’s and women’s soccer teams in 2003, and the Seattle University men’s team in 2009. Fenster is still a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

The Edmonds CC women’s soccer program has four North Region titles and won NWAC titles in 2000 & 2002. Coach Fenster can be reached at adam.fenster@email.edcc.edu.

Monday, November 27, 2017

LYNNWOOD -- Brittney Beitel-Davidson has stepped down as women's soccer coach after four years as the head coach. Edmonds went 17-39-6 in the North under Beitel-Davidson, and was 21-42-8 overall. In 2014, the Tritons qualified for the playoffs in her first year, and were defeated in the quarterfinals at Treasure Valley -- that match was decided by penalty kicks.

Brittney Beitel-Davidson

Beitel-Davidson, who also served as the college's athletic women's commissioner, made the decision to move on and pursue other interests. "I am thankful to Brittney for her dedication and commitment to the women's soccer program, and for serving as our women's commissioner. Her players have done a great job in the classroom and are positive representatives of our athletic program -- that is a direct reflection of her," said athletic director Spencer Stark.

Edmonds Community College women's soccer reached the NWAC championship game in 2013, after a steady improvement under former head coach Jeanette Delaney, who served a nine-year stint at the helm. The program has four North Region titles, and two NWAC Championships, in 2000 and 2002. The Tritons play their home games at Triton Field, on a soccer pitch that is one of the largest in Snohomish County at nearly 40,000 square feet. The multi-sport complex is lighted, all-turf, and is home to Triton softball, baseball, and men's soccer, in addition to women's soccer. It is located in the middle of campus, and is one of the top soccer facilities in all of NWAC soccer. Edmonds CC is known for their professional game-day soccer atmosphere.

The search for a new head coach will begin immediately. If interested in the position, please contact athletic director Spencer Stark at spencer.stark@email.edcc.edu or 425-640-1046. The position is open until filled.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

TACOMA -- The Edmonds Community College volleyball team opens the 2017 NWAC Volleyball Championships bright and early Thursday morning on the fifth floor of the Tacoma Convention Center. The Tritons are pitted against the Walla Walla Community College Warriors at 9 a.m. in their opening round game. The Warriors (32-15) finished in third place from the East Region, and ended the season ranked No. 6 in the final NWAC Coaches Poll of the year. The two teams met once earlier this year at the Edmonds-hosted NWAC Crossover on October 21. Walla Walla took that three-set match, two games to one. Edmonds earned second place from the North with a 26-15 record, matching their win total from last year.

The NWAC tournament is nothing new for Tritons' coach Tony Miranda. Before his current stint as head coach at Edmonds, Miranda led the Bellevue College program to the playoffs in all four seasons he served as head coach (2001-2004). In 2002, Bellevue placed 3rd. He later joined the Tritons staff as an assistant, helping the team back to the tourney in 2006. In 2007 and 2008, as head coach -- the last time Edmonds qualified in back-to-back years -- Miranda guided his teams to NWACs, which included another 3rd place showing in 2008. This season marks the second straight year Edmonds will compete in the double elimination tournament.

(L-R): Lawrence, Magri, Dmitruk

In comparing this year's squad with last year's, Miranda believes team chemistry is much improved. "This is a team that plays for each other. They get along. They have gelled," he said. In September, Triton volleyball took a 10-day trip to Arizona and Nevada, competing against top NJCAA schools in two tournaments, which allowed the team to spend time together and bond. Miranda shared, "This team is both recruiting classes coming together. We are more athletic than last year and have better leadership."

The result and length of the Tritons' run in Tacoma will still come down to the basics. "For us to be successful we will need to defend, transition, serve, and pass well. We have to play complete volleyball," Miranda said. "We've had a good last week and a half of practice. This sport is emotional. When we are connected emotionally and they're ready, I feel confident about our chances of finishing in the top four."

NWAC All-Stars and the All-Academic team were announced at the banquet Wednesday night. Sophomores Sydney Lawrence (Pullman, Wash., MB), and Macy Magri (Fresno, Calif., S) both received 2nd-Team recognition. Freshman Michelle Dmitruk (Everett, Wash., OH) was awarded 1st-Team distinction. Lawrence and Magri also garnered All-Academic team honors, as well as fellow sophomore Chenoa Faletoi (Pago Pago, American Somoa).

The winner of Thursday morning's match will advance in the winner's bracket to face the winner of Pierce and Mt. Hood on Friday at 10 a.m. The loser will play again Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. against the Pierce-Mt. Hood loser. All tournament matches will be live streamed on the NWAC website.

Triton Tidbits
Michelle Dmitruk was honored for the second week in a row when she was named the NWAC Offensive Player of the Week... Dmitruk has been the North Region Offensive Player of the Week the last two weeks... she also leads the team in kills (273) and aces (40)... Macy Magri is tied for fourth overall in the NWAC for assists per set (7.89)... freshman Sam Fast (Oregon City, Ore.) leads the team in digs (204)... Sydney Lawrence leads the team in blocks (41)... other categories the team ranks in the top 10 of the NWAC are: sets played (4th), kills (9th), and hitting percentage (9th).

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Lynnwood, Wash. -- Scott Kelly was hired as Edmonds
Community College Assistant Athletic Director on August 10, 2017. In addition
to supporting the seven athletic programs, Kelly will be responsible for all
home game management, upkeep of and management of all athletic facilities,
facility rentals, hiring and training student and part-time hourly employees, scheduling,
and will serve as the Seaview Gym emergency preparedness building coordinator
among other duties.

“I would like to thank
Christina Castorena for this great opportunity, and I look forward to working
with all of our

Assistant Athletic Director, Scott Kelly

coaches and athletic programs. I’m very excited to start the
next chapter of my professional career as the Assistant Athletic Director at
Edmonds Community College. Go Tritons!” said Kelly.

Kelly brings 14 years
of coaching experience from all levels (high school, NWAC, NAIA, NCAA, summer
collegiate leagues), including 7 years in the NWAC both as an assistant and
head baseball coach, to the position, which started in 1996 when he was a
student-athlete at Green River CC. He later played at Missouri Valley College
and was a NAIA All-American pitcher there before being taken by the San Diego
Padres in the 25th round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He began his
coaching career at the ripe age of 25, and after assisting the Missouri Valley
program for one season, took over the reins as head coach in 2005. Kelly later
had stops at Green River CC, Saint Martin’s University, and Kentlake High
School before he landed the Edmonds CC head baseball coaching position in
December of 2012.

Kelly has a proven
track record of moving players on to four-year schools and the professional
ranks from a structured program where student success is at the core. He is
deeply committed to Triton Athletics and the college’s mission, core themes,
vision, and values. “I want to help all students succeed that come through our
doors at EdCC,” Kelly said.

“Scott is a great
choice for this position because of his problem solving skills, his experience
and depth of knowledge in two-year athletics, and his leadership abilities. He
will strengthen our community here at Edmonds CC and also in the greater South
Snohomish County area. He’ll play a large role in helping us create the best
student-athlete experience in the NWAC, and we will lean on his fundraising background
to enhance Triton Athletics. His facility management, game management, and
facility rental experience should suit him well in supporting our department
into the future,” said Edmonds CC Athletic Director Spencer Stark.

The 2018 baseball
season will mark his 6th year as head baseball coach at the college.
Kelly has guided the Tritons to two North Region championships, five straight
playoff appearances, a 3rd place finish in 2015, and a NWAC
Championship in 2014. Kelly received his Bachelor’s degree from Missouri Valley
College in Recreation Administration. His office is located in Seaview Gym 102C.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Edmonds Community College infielder Zach Needham was selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball first-year player draft on Wednesday, June 14. The sophomore was taken in the 40th round and becomes the 70th Triton baseball player drafted from the college. The Puyallup High School product had a huge year for Edmonds CC after recovering from injuries in his freshman campaign, and this past fall. Needham led the NWAC regular season in home runs (10) and RBI (55), and was fifth in batting average (.373). He has received a number of awards recognizing his performance on the field this year: Triton Baseball MVP, Triton Athletics Male Athlete of the Year, ABCA Pacific Association All-NWAC 1st-team infielder, and the Baden Sports NWAC Player of the Year.

Zach Needham was drafted by the Seattle Mariners on June 14

Needham has already signed a scholarship to the University of Houston, a NCAA D-I school that competes in the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars, who tallied 42 wins this spring and took the regular season and conference tournament title, hosted an NCAA Regional for the second time in three years this spring and were one run short of heading to the Super Regional round. Right-handed pitcher Alec Kisena was the last Triton to be taken in the draft when he was picked by the Detriot Tigers in 2015 (16th round).

Thursday, June 8, 2017

The Edmonds Community College Athletics department held their fifth annual end of the year banquet and awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 6. This year's format was changed to include a guest speaker, and the location was moved to Woodway Hall on campus to accommodate the catered meal provided by the college's culinary arts department. Special guests were recognized, which included former athletic director/vice president of student services and NWAC Hall of Famer George Smith, and outgoing Edmonds CC president Dr. Jean Hernandez. Hernandez, who has been a loyal supporter of athletics, has announced her retirement effective December 31, 2017.

Season Recap

Four Triton teams qualified for the postseason in 2016-17. Volleyball clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 after defeating Olympic College in a tie-breaker game at home. The Tritons saw a 22-win improvement from last season, and were victorious against Pierce at the championships before losing a three-set thriller to Umpqua CC. Men's soccer kept their playoff streak intact, earning their department-leading 11th consecutive postseason appearance. In their opener, they rode sophomore Mohamed Elmoghrbi's two goals to upset Clark College 2-1 in overtime. They bowed out against CC of Spokane in the quarterfinals; Spokane later fell in the NWAC championship game to Tacoma 2-1. Softball was back at the NWAC championships for the second straight year after a 10-year drought, and won a game at the tournament for the second year in a row before losing to Bellevue College. The Tritons finished second in the North Region and tied a school record with 35 wins. The program also had two players honored as National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans for the first time in school history -- Seli Aholelei (pitcher), and Kamryn Kanae (outfielder). Baseball was a playoff qualifier for the fifth consecutive year, but was unable to advance past the Super Regionals. Two players, outfielder Guthrie Morrison and infielder Zach Needham, were honored with All-NWAC recognition. Morrison captured an All-NWAC Gold Glove, and Needham was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Pacific Association All-Region team.

Seven Tritons earned accolades from the NWAC throughout the year with Player of the Week honors:

For a full list of all the Edmonds CC student-athletes that were Tritons of the Week, go here.

NWAC Executive Director, Marco Azurdia

NWAC Executive Director Marco Azurdia was the guest speaker and gave a speech about how what you talk about can lead to success. He suggested that the words "but" and "try" should not be in an athlete's vocabulary. His message was summed up at the conclusion of his speech when he said, "Do what needs to be done. Do it when it needs to be done, and do it as well as it can be done." Azurdia, the former basketball coach, athletic director, dean, and vice president of student services at Wenatchee Valley College, was given the Triton Athletics Exemplary Leadership Award for his efforts in taking the conference to another level since his arrival at the NWAC office in 2011.

The NWAC recognizes sophomores with Academic Excellence Awards for those earning at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 36 credits earned. Tritons who received Academic Excellence awards:

Two Tritons were also honored at the NWAC Banquet in Salem, Ore. on June 1. Women's soccer sophomore Michele Bodzewski was the recipient of the Red Lion Women's Scholarship Award, and baseball sophomore Zach Needham was selected as the Baden Sports NWAC Baseball Player of the Year. Bodzewski's award is the first ever for a Triton; the last baseball player to receive the NWAC Player of the Year was outfielder T.C. Florentine in 2014. He later moved on to finish a stellar career at Santa Clara University after Edmonds.

Zach Needham

Michele Bodzewski

Here's a list of the individual program awards and Athletes of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year

Kamryn Kanae (Softball)

Male Athlete of the Year

Zach Needham (Baseball)

Softball MVP

Paige Matsuki

Coach’s Award

Bailee Senner

Men’s Basketball MVP

Chiagozie Ezokeke

Coach’s Award

Sheldon Hutt

Women’s Soccer MVP

Michele Bodzewski

Coach’s Award

Kylie Morse

Men’s Soccer MVP

Mohamed Elmoghrbi

Coach’s Award

Issac Ensz

Volleyball MVP

Sydney Lawrence

Coach’s Award

Maci Magri

Women’s Basketball MVP

Katie Rodriguez

Coach’s Award

Sudana Moyong

Baseball MVP

Zach Needham

Coach’s Award

Taylor Poffenroth

Ron Newton

Three special recognition awards were also given out near the end of the evening. Coach Ron Newton received the Triton Athletics Special Appreciation Award for his service to the athletic department. Newton assisted the men's basketball program for three seasons before filling in to lead the women's basketball program as interim head coach. He was a key part of the men's program reaching the NWAC title game twice in three years. Newton later stayed on for two years as the head coach of the women's squad and helped stabilize the program while also mentoring new women's head coach Eric Ensign. Newton will resume assistant coaching duties with the men's basketball team next season.

Ron Omori

The inaugural Ron Omori Assistant Coach of the Year Award was bestowed upon longtime baseball assistant coach Ron Omori, who's time in the Triton dugout has spanned nearly 20 years. Omori has been a part of 5 NWAC championships at Edmonds and was the first individual inducted into the Triton Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. He has never received a dime from the college and has embodied the type of commitment that is required to be a successful assistant coach at the two-year level. The assistant coach of the year award will be given out annually and now bears his name.

Jorge de la Torre

New Edmonds CC Dean for Student Success/Student Life and Development, and former athletic director Jorge de la Torre, was given the Servant Leadership Award for his contributions to Triton Athletics over the past 4 1/2 years. De la Torre led a major turnaround for the athletic programs after landing the athletic director job in the fall of 2012. He inherited only one program that was a playoff qualifier and in just two years helped the Edmonds CC to win the 2014-15 Maury Ray Athletic Director's Cup, which goes to the athletic department with the most on field success overall. Under De la Torre there was significant academic and facility improvements, and new level of professionalism. The Tritons are now recognized as having best of class game management and an outstanding game day experience for student-athletes in the NWAC.

All the pictures from the banquet are posted on the athletics Facebook page. The awards ceremony capped off another successful year for EdCC. Fall sports (volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer) begin official practice on August 1.

Monday, May 22, 2017

The Edmonds CC
baseball team saw their season end earlier than expected with two straight
losses in Yakima last weekend. The Tritons dropped their opener to Mt. Hood CC
7-2 on Friday, and lost a lead late to Yakima Valley, eventually falling 6-4 on
Saturday. Against Mt. Hood, the Tritons trailed 3-0 and scored two runs in the
3rd frame, but the offense could only muster 3 hits against the Saints
starter Connor Stevenson. Edmonds carried a 3-1 lead in Saturday’s loser-out
contest against the host and defending NWAC-champion Yakima Valley, but the
Yaks plated four runs in the 7th inning that would hold up.
Sophomores Justin Polzin, Zach Needham, and Jake Malone each had multiple hits
in a losing effort on Saturday. The trio ended up being the Tritons’ top three
hitters based on batting average.

Mt. Hood ended up
defeating Yakima Valley and will move on to the NWAC Championships from the
East Super Regional. Everett CC will be the lone representative from the North
region at the Championships – Bellevue and Skagit were also upended at their
respective regionals. Edmonds CC baseball finished the 2017 campaign with an
overall record of 29-15 and extended their postseason streak to five years.

The Edmonds CC
softball team started the NWAC Championships on a good note with an 11-2
victory over Chemeketa CC, but that would be the only taste of winning the
Tritons would experience in Spokane this past weekend. Edmonds lost a
back-and-forth contest to the 4-seed Clackamas CC in their second game Friday,
and dropped a loser-out game to familiar foe Bellevue College on Saturday to
end their season.

EdCC softball at the NWAC banquet

In their opener, the first two innings saw all batters retired in order on both
sides. Edmonds then erupted for 7 runs in the bottom of the third to take
control of the game. With one out Kamryn Kanae blooped one into left field
scoring Chasity Stalcup from second base. The next batter, Paige Matsuki, then
blasted a two-run homer to left-center and the rout was on. Matsuki added
another home run in the 4th inning; Daria Kawaauhau also left the
yard for EdCC. Seli Aholelei recorded 5 strikeouts in 5 innings of work to earn
the win in the circle. The Tritons topped Chemeketa 11-2 in a run-rule fashion.

Friday’s second game
against Clackamas started well, with the Tritons in front 3-0 after the first 3
innings. The Cougars responded with 5 runs in the bottom of the 4th to jump ahead 5-3, and the Tritons matched that with 4 runs of their own in the
top of the 5th. Matsuki hit her 3rd round-tripper of the
tournament to start the 5th, Reagan Ingersoll scored Aholelei from second with
a RBI single to left field, and the Tritons added two more runs on a fielder’s
choice and a 1st and 3rd stolen base. In the top of the 6th Edmonds tacked on two additional runs from a Clackamas throwing error. The 9-5
Triton lead quickly evaporated as Clackamas struck for 7 runs in the bottom of
the 6th to win going away 12-9. Kamryn Kanae, Paige Matsuki, and
Seli Aholelei each collected two hits in a losing effort.

On Sunday the Tritons
came up short in trying to defeat North region foe Bellevue College for the 5th time in 2017. The Bulldogs, who had been winless against the Tritons in league
play, were victorious in an 11-2 triumph that lasted only five innings. Edmonds
led 1-0 after one inning, but the game was put in a rain delay for just over 3
hours because of field conditions. After play resumed the Bulldogs exploded for
a 9-run 3rd inning, one that Edmonds could not fight back from.
Kamryn Kanae had a 2-run bomb in the 3rd and finished 2-for-3 in the
season finale. Bellevue went on to win two more games on Saturday and placed 4th overall at the Championships. Douglas College, also from the North region, is
in the Championship game Monday and will need to win just one game to take the
title. The Tritons had an impressive season, finishing in second place from the
North region with an overall record of 35-10. The 35 victories tied a school
record for wins in a season.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Edmonds CC softball
begins the NWAC Championship tournament in Spokane Friday and will face
Chemeketa CC in their first round matchup at 12:30 p.m. The Tritons finished in
second place from the North region; Chemeketa was the sixth place finisher from
the South. The 16-team bracket seeding is determined by RPI – Edmonds (34-8,
26-6 North) is the No. 5 seed, and received an automatic bid. Chemeketa (18-21,
11-17 South) is the 12 seed and punched their ticket via at at-large
bid. EdCC split games with Chemeketa in the two meetings between the
opponents earlier this spring. Edmonds defeated the Strom 6-5 on March 4 and
fell 7-2 on March 5. Both games were part of the non-league Triton
Invitational.

Softball opens NWAC Championship play Friday, May 19

Triton softball is in
the midst of a stunning rise into the upper echelon of NWAC teams. Much of this
year's success has been pinned around the team’s depth both in the circle and
throughout the lineup. Edmonds has used four pitchers to stymie teams in a
number of ways. Offensively the Tritons have been a strong combination and power and average.
Nine players boast a batting average over .300, and the team has launched
71 home runs (2nd best overall in the NWAC), and sports a .623
slugging percentage (3rd overall).

Eight of the nine
sophomores on the roster have NWAC Championship tournament experience, which
may help as they progress through the double elimination bracket.
Regardless of the outcome against Chemeketa, the Tritons will play their second
game of the day Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Edmonds CC baseball
opens the NWAC Super Regionals in Yakima on Friday against Mt. Hood CC at 4
p.m. Yakima Valley College, who is the defending NWAC champion, earned second place from the East region and is hosting all games
this weekend at Bill Faller Field. Mt. Hood finished strong moving into the No. 3 spot from the South Region after
sweeping Clackamas CC over the final weekend of the regular season.

Baseball starts Super Regionals Friday, May 19

This is the fifth
consecutive year the Tritons have qualified for the NWAC playoffs. EdCC (28-13,
14-10 North) dropped six of their final eight regional games and finished tied for third place in the North, but split games
at South region champ Linn-Benton CC last weekend. Edmonds faced Mt. Hood (15-23,
12-12 South) earlier this season, blanking the Saints 7-0 on March 18 in a
non-league tilt. The Tritons seem to have the pieces in place for a playoff run
– the pitching staff has a 2.89 ERA (3rd lowest overall), and the
offense is tops in OPS (.859) and slugging percentage (.445). They are also 2nd overall in the NWAC in batting average (.308) and home runs (26).